Flyers D Kimmo Timonen Being Treated for Blood Clots

Flyers veteran defenseman Kimmo Timonen is in Finland where he is being treated for blood clots in his right leg and both lungs, according to the Flyers on Tuesday.

This isn't the first time Timonen has experienced blood clots. He had them in the same leg during the 2008 playoffs, not allowing him to compete in the Eastern Conference Final against the Penguins.

Timonen, 39, re-signed with the Flyers in the off season for one year, $3.5 million. With this season expected to be his last, Timonen wanted to make sure he could endure another long grind before signing this offseason. In 2013-14, Timonen put up 35 points in 77 games.

"We’re looking at the person, not the hockey player," Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said Tuesday. "From everything we’ve heard, Kimmo is resting and doing well."

"[Timonen] was working hard and getting ready for the season. I think he's in shock that this happened."

Timonen is resting in Finland. He is not allowed to travel for 2-3 weeks. When he is able to come back to the United States, the Flyers will evaluate him.

Former Penguins goalie Tomas Vokoun missed all of last season with blood clots in high right hip. Vokoun has yet to play in the NHL since then, claiming that the surgery to clear up the clots saved his life.

It's unsure what this means for Timonen or the Flyers.

One possibility is the Flyers go after a veteran defenseman that can fill Timonen's role. A name that keeps popping up is free agent Michael Del Zotto.

The Flyers are looking at this as a long-term injury and Hextall said that he doesn't want to put pressure on a defensive prospect.

It was expected that a Flyers prospect could make the team out of training camp, be it Samuel Morin, Shayne Gostisbehere or Robert Hagg.

Both Gostisbehere and Hagg would fill Timonen's role well, whereas Morin is more of a defensive blueliner. Morin, 19, is expected to go back to the juniors for one more year.